The Reconciliation & First Holy Communion group is designed
for children in Year Three of Primary School. Diocesan policy does not allow
for younger
children , but older children are warmly welcomed and greatly valued for the
more mature contribution they often make to the group.

Since October 2002, the group have followed the “On our way with Jesus” a
journey of Christian initiation course.

From October to Christmas the children prepare for Reconciliation,
and after Christmas, prepare specifically for their First Holy Communion.
Children and their parents receive separate preparation.

The children meet their Catechists on one Saturday morning a month for 1.5
hours.

The parents meet with the Parish Priest and a Catechist from
the Diocesan team on a Wednesday evening, once a month from 8.00a.m. to 9.30p.m.

On the Sunday following the children’s session, the
10.30a.m. Mass is a celebration, primarily centred on the First Holy Communion
group. Weekly attendance
at Mass is considered an essential element of the course.

The celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion usually
takes place in the first or second week of May, with the programme culminating
in the “Going
Forth” Mass approximately a month later.